Decisions of the Board

Section 150 Section 150.680  Decisions of the Board All decisions of the Board as to guilt or innocence will be announced within 90 days after receipt of the Hearing Officer's proposal for decision, or within 90 days after the Hearing Officer's response to the parties' comments or arguments, whichever is later, as outlined in this Section: a)         After the hearing on a Complaint, the Board shall render a written decision outlining the findings of fact upon which the decision is based and mail it by either registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the officer charged.  A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the Director.  The decision will find the officer guilty, if the charges are established by a preponderance of the evidence, or not guilty.  If the Board finds the officer guilty of any or all of the accusations included in the Complaint, the Board will promptly order the officer's discharge, demotion, or a suspension for a period of not more than 180 days, or recommend participation in a rehabilitative program, including but not limited to the State Employee Assistance Program, whichever in the opinion of the Board is most applicable.  If the officer is found not guilty or has served a period of suspension greater than prescribed by the Board, the Board shall order that the officer receive compensation for the period involved.  The award of compensation shall include interest at the rate of 7% per annum.  This determination will be based on the final decision of the Board, the officer, and legal counsel after reviewing all pertinent information including, but not limited to, monies due to the State or to third parties involved in the charges, and income earned or received by the officer during the period involved.  Officers are required to disclose any income earned or received (e.g., public assistance or unemployment compensation) during the period involved. b)         After the hearing on a Petition for Review, the Board will render a written decision outlining the facts upon which the decision is based, and mail it by either registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the officer filing the Petition.  A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the Director.  The decision will find the officer guilty, if the contents of the Notice of Suspension are established by a preponderance of the evidence, or not guilty.  If the Board finds the officer guilty of any or all of the contents of the Notice of Suspension, the Board may sustain, reduce, or reverse the action of the Director or Deputy Director; and in the event of reversal or reduction, the Board shall order that the officer receive the pay for the appropriate period involved.  The award of compensation shall include interest at the rate of 7% per annum.  The Board may not increase the extent of disciplinary measures upon appeal of a suspension of up to 30 days.  Such decision shall be supported by a statement of findings of fact.  A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the attorneys of record, the Director and the Deputy Director that initiated the action. c)         The Director shall carry out the order of the Board, and if the accused officer refuses to abide by the order, the Director shall remove the officer immediately. d)         If the Board finds that a party has made allegations or denials without reasonable cause or has engaged in frivolous litigation for the purpose of delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation, it may order that party to pay the other party's reasonable expenses, including costs and reasonable attorney's fees.